Common Food Poisoning Illnesses and How to Avoid Them

Food is recalled all of the time, whether it be from contamination in stores or other reasons. This means that, unfortunately, people will fall ill from time to time due to food poisoning and the adverse reactions it can cause. There are three types of food poisoning illnesses that are more common than others, which you can find out about now.

E. Coli: If you enjoy spinach and other leafy greens, you should watch out for something known as E. Coli. This is a type of bacteria that was discovered in spinach as well as other greens over the past few years. This bacteria occurs naturally in the human intestines and most strains are harmless; however, there are some strains that can cause issues to humans. You should not just be wary of greens – no, some cases of E. Coli have been found in ground beef. This is due to the fact that cow intestines were mixed into the beef before distribution, causing it to occur for human consumption.

Listeria: Listeria is a bacteria that causes Listeriosis. It is threatening to pregnant woman, newborns, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. This bacteria thrives in raw and undercooked meat and pork.

Salmonella: Every year, it seems there is an outbreak for salmonella, much like the hundreds of Americans who ran into trouble when they consumed poisoned cucumbers. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that people with salmonella and many other types of food poisoning don’t even know that they have it. Symptoms of salmonella include abdominal pains, chills, diarrhea, headaches, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches. Many people will get the infection soon after exposure but recover without medical treatment.

Common Causes of Food Poisoning

Sometimes, bacteria and viruses appear in food and these are the main cause of food poisoning, like those mentioned above. These bacteria and viruses can contaminate almost any type of food. However, there are more common types of food like meats, poultry, eggs, shellfish, dairy products, and leafy green vegetables. Properly refrigerating, cooking, and storing food can reduce the risk of food poisoning and prevent you from receiving it.

Injuries and Food Poisoning

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million Americans suffer from food poisoning each year. This is an incredible one in six Americans. Each year, 128,000 people are hospitalized for food poisoning and another 3,000 are killed. The most serious of cases involve hospitalization, a long recovery period, and medication for treatment.

Lawsuits Surrounding Food Poisoning

If somebody was responsible for your food poisoning such as a restaurant or a cruise line, you could bring a lawsuit against them. You would file for a personal injury lawsuit or product liability lawsuit and you would be able to recover compensation for your medical costs, hospital bills, lost income, and other damages involved. However, the process may not be so easy on you. Identifying food poisoning may be harder than it appears because people eat tens of things in one day. You must also prove that somebody is legally responsible for your injury and needs held liable.

There is hope if you are seeking to file suit for a food poisoning illness. If you have suffered from one of these illnesses and wish to seek compensation, you should contact an attorney who will work with you to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi today for more information on how to get started.